Band mask helmet

ABSTRACT

A stiff forwardly and downwardly opening head protective helmet to be utilized by a diver provided with a face mask. The helmet includes forward marginal edge portions provided with peripherally spaced openings and is thus adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a head sling engaged with the back of the head of the wearer of the helmet beneath the latter and provided with forwardly extending tension members whose forward ends include structure for removable attachment to corresponding peripheral portions of the associated face mask, the tension members being threaded through the openings formed in the forward marginal edge portions of the helmet. When the helmet is utilized in conjunction with the aforementioned head sling and the tension members of the sling are constructed of elastic material, the head sling may be provided with portions thereof to be disposed inwardly of the helmet and of dimensions too great to pass through the openings in the marginal edge portions of the helmet and in this manner attachment of the forward ends of the tension members to the marginal portions of the face mask with the tension members in tensioned condition will result in the tension members not only serving to yieldingly bias the associated face mask rearwardly against the face of the wearer but also to yieldingly bias the helmet forwardly upon the head of the wearer of the associated face mask.

United States Patent Morgan June 27, 1972 BAND MASK HELMET Bevly Boone Morgan, 3319 Braeman Road, Santa Barbara, Calif. 93109 [22 Filed: July 10, 1970 21 Appl.No.: 53,912

[72] Inventor:

s2 U.S.Cl. ..128/141R [51] 1111.0. "B63cll/l2 [58] Field ofSearch ans/141 R, 140 R, 142, 1422-145 R, 128/145 A, 146, 147; 2/2.1 R, s, 9, s4, 171.1 171.4,173.5,2os

Primary Examiner-Richard A. 'Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. B. Mitchell Attorney-Clarence A. O'Brien and Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A stiff forwardly and downwardly opening head protective helmet to be utilized by a diver provided with a face mask. The helmet includes forward marginal edge portions provided with peripherally spaced openings and is thus adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a head sling engaged with the back of the head of the wearer of the helmet beneath the latter and provided with forwardly extending tension members whose forward ends include structure for removable attachment to corresponding peripheral portions of the associated face mask, the tension members being threaded through the openings formed in the forward marginal edge portions of the helmet. When the helmet is utilized in conjunction with the aforementioned head sling and the tension members of the sling are constructed of elastic material, the head sling may be provided with portions thereof to be disposed inwardly of the helmet and of dimensions too great to pass through the openings in the marginal edge portions of the helmet and in this manner attachment of the forward ends of the tension members to the marginal portions of the face mask with the tension members in tensioned condition will result in the tension members not only serving to yieldingly bias the associated face mask rearwardly against the face of the wearer but also to yieldingly bias the helmet forwardly upon the head of the wearer of the associated face mask.

13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJum I972 3,672,365

Bv/y Boone Morgan Fig 4 INVESTOR BAND MASK HELMET The helmet of the instant invention has been designed to be utilized by divers whereby the latter will be protected from blows about the head' while performing diving operations without the aid of a full deep diving suit including a pressure helmet. The helmet of the instant invention is to be used in conjunction with a diver utilizing a face mask rather than a full diving suit and also in conjunction with a head sling engaged over the rear of the head of the diver and including tension member portions attached to peripherally spaced areas of the associated face mask. Such a head sling is provided and constructed of elastomeric material to insure that the face mask worn by the diver will be held in engagement with the peripheral portions of the face of the diver. In addition, the

helmet includes openings formed through its forward marginal edgeportions through which the tension member portions of the head sling are threaded.

The main object of this invention is to provide a hard helmet to be utilized by divers provided with face masks rather than full diving suits including pressure helmets.

Another object of this invention is to provide a helmet in accordance with the immediately preceding object and constructed in a manner enabling the helmet to also be utilized in conjunction with ahead sling engaged with the back of the head of the diver wearing a face mask and provided for the purpose of maintaining the face mask in tight seated engagement with the peripheral face portions of the diver.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a helmet in accordance with the preceding objects and constructed in a manner in concert with certain structural features of the aforementioned head sling so that the elastomeric head sling will also serve to yieldingly retain the helmet upon the head of the diver.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enu merated herein is to provide a helmet in accordance with the preceding object and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof,'wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the head of a diver provided not only with a face mask but'also with an elastomeric head sling for anchoring the face mask to the face of the diver and with the head sling also operatively associated with the helmet in a manner further serving to yieldingly secure the helmet upon the head of the diver;

FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view of the helmet with the elastomeric head sling operatively associated therewith and portions of the helmet being broken away and illustrated in vertical section;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon a plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the elastomeric head sling to be utilized in conjunction with the helmet of the instant invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the numeral generally designates a diver upon whose head a helmet assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 12 is disposed. The helmet 12 incorporates a hood portion 14 and a rigid shell portion 16. The shell and hood portions are joined by a clamp or band assembly 18. Further, the helmet assembly includes various structural features for supplying breathing gas to the interior of the helmet assembly and venting breathing gases therefrom. These specific structural features are illustrated and described in detail in my co-pending U.S. application, Ser. No. 868,324, for DIVING HELMET.

The instant invention resides in the provision of a rigid helmet member referred to in general by the reference numeral 18 to be utilized in conjunction with the helmet assembly 12 and the helmet member 18 is somewhat like a football helmet and is to be worn by a diver utilizing the helmet assembly 12.

Included with the helmet assembly 12 is a head sling referred to in general by the reference numeral 20 and which has its counterpart in my aforementioned co-pending application. However, the head sling 20 is modified in shape relative to the head sling disclosed in my copending U.S. application and it may be seen to include a body 22 constructed of elastomeric material. The body 22 is generally planar, but flexible, and includes a central annular main portion 24 generally radially outwardly from which a plurality of integral elongated tension members 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 project. The tension members are generally strap-like in configuration and each includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 36. The main body portion 24 has a generally circular opening 38 formed centrally therethrough and the head sling is to be worn within the helmet member 18 with the central apertured portion of the main portion 24 of the head sling 20 passing over the back of the head of the diver 10 with the rear central portion of the head of the diver being received in the opening 38.

The helmet member includes a plurality of rear breathing gas escape apertures 40 and the peripheral edge portions of the helmet member 18 are provided with an elongated peripherally extending resilient head or seal 42. Further, the opposite side marginal portions 44 of the forward portion of the helmet member 18 are each provided with vertically spaced upstanding slots or openings 46 and the portions of the helmet member 18 defining the forward side extremities of the slots or openings 46 are inwardly displaced as at 48 in order to define front to rear extending channels or relieved areas whose rear ends open into the slots or openings 46.

The upper central portion of the helmet member 18 is provided with a similar transverse slot or opening 50 and the upper portion of the helmet member 18 defining the forward extremity of the slot or opening 50 is also inwardly offset as at 52 so as to define a channel or relieved area opening rear wardly into the opening 50.

As can best be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings the head sling 20 is received within the helmet member 18 with the tension members 26, 28, 30 and 32 projecting forwardly through the openings 46. in addition, the tension member 34 projects forwardly through the opening 50.

When the helmet assembly and helmet member 18 are applied to the head of the diver, after both the assembly and the helmet member 18 have been placed in the proper positions with the head sling 20 disposed within the helmet member 18 and at least the free ends of the tension members 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 projecting through the slots or openings 46 and 50, the forward ends of the various tension members are pulled forwardly and engaged with the corresponding outwardly projecting generally spherical anchor members 56 carried by the clamp or band assembly 18. In this manner, as in my above mentioned copending application, the head sling 20 serves to yieldingly bias the helmet assembly 12 rearwardly into tight contact with the face of the diver 10. However, as can best be seen from FIG. 2 of the drawings, the various peripheral portions of the main portion 24 from whichthe tension members 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 project engage those portions of the helmet member 18 defining the opposite ends of the slot 50 and the upper slot 46 and those portions of the helmet member 18 defining the upper ends of the lower slots 46. Thus, forward extension of the tension members 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 through the slots 46 and 50 is limited and the tension members therefore also serve to yieldingly bias the forwardly opening helmet member 18 forwardly on the head of the diver 10. Accordingly, the head sling 20 serves a dual function resulting in the head of the diver 10 being at least lightly clamped between the helmet assembly 12 and the helmet member 18.

The material of which the head sling 20 is constructed enables the tension members 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 to be further stretched, after the helmet assembly 12 and the helmet member 18 are properly mounted on the head of the diver 10, in order to allow the helmet assembly and the helmet 18 to be readily removed by the diver l merely by the diver pushing forwardly on the lower portion of the helmet assembly 18 and then upwardly on the helmet assembly so as to slide the latter upwardly over the face of the diver 10. In this manner, if the diver l0 wishes to quickly remove the entire assembly illustrated in FIG. 1, it may be removed in the same manner in which a diver removes a face mask such as that used in skin diving.

It will be noted that the lower edge portions of the tension members 26 and 28 and the lower edge portion of the main body portion 24 are coextensive and it is these marginal edge portions of the head sling 20 which are adapted to encircle the rear upper neck or lower head portion of the diver 10.

The head sling 20 may be conveniently constructed of any suitable rubber-like substance and the helmet member 18 may be constructed of fiberglas or plastic. The breathing gas vent apertures 40 fonned on the rear portion of the helmet 18 are so placed in order that breathing air or gas being expelled by the diver may readily escape from within the helmet member 18 when the diver 10 is beneath the water and looking down toward the bottom.

Further, the head sling not only serves to urge the helmet member 18 forwardly on the head of the diver 10 but also to support the helmet member 18 on the head of the diver against shifting relative thereto. Still further, the free ends of the tension members 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 and the periphery spaced portions of the clamp or band assembly 18 may be provided with coacting means other than the spherical anchors 56 and apertures 36 in order to releasably anchor longitudinally spaced portions of the tension members to the corresponding peripherally spaced portions of the clamp or band assembly 18.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a rearwardly opening face mask assembly to be worn over the face of the user and including rear opposite side peripheral edge portions for engagement with the opposite sides of the face of the wearer, a forwardly and downwardly opening rigid helmet to be worn over head of the wearer and including forward opposite side peripheral edge portions, having openings formed therethrough, a forwardly opening head sling anchored within said helmet and including forwardly projecting elongated tension members including one set of corresponding ends anchored relative to spaced portions of said head sling and a second set of corresponding end portions projecting through said openings, the second set of ends of said tension members being anchored to adjacent spaced portions of said mask peripheral edge portions.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said one set of corresponding ends are removably anchored to said face mask.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said one set of corresponding ends and said face mask include coacting means removably anchoring said one set of ends to said face mask for adjustment of the effective length of said tension members.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said tension members include at least portions thereof which are elastic.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said tension members and sling are formed as integral portions of a panel of elastomeric material.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said helmet includes breathing gas vent openings in its central rear portion for venting breathing gas from within said helmet when the user is looking down toward the bottom of the body of water in which he is diving.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said helmet is ri id.

8. In combination with a rearwardly opening face mas assembly to be worn over the face of the user and including rear opposite side peripheral edge portions for engagement with the opposite sides of the face of the wearer, a forwardly and downwardly opening rigid helmet to be worn over head of the wearer and including forward opposite side peripheral edge portions, elongated tension members including one set of corresponding ends anchored relative to spaced portions of one of said peripheral edge portions and a second set of corresponding end portions anchored to adjacent spaced portions of the other peripheral edge portions, including a forwardly opening flexible head cradle disposed within said helmet and for disposition over the back of the head of the wearer within said helmet, said one set of ends being anchored to said head cradle so as to become parts thereof, said peripheral edge portions of said helmet including guide openings formed therein through which said tension members are guidingly engaged for longitudinal shifting relative to said peripheral edge portions,

said head cradle including stop means engageable with inner surface portions of said helmet adjacent said openings to limit forward displacement of said other set of ends relative to said helmet peripheral edge portions, the other set of ends of said tension members being anchored to said cradle whereby tensioning of said tension members and the anchoring of said one set of ends to said mask will resist rearward displacement of said helmet relative to said mask and forward displacement of said mask relative to said helmet.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said tension members are strap-like in configuration and said openings comprise elongated slots extending generally along said peripheral edge portions.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein the portions of said helmet defining the forward extremities of said slots are inwardly offset and said slots therefor open forwardly outwardly of said helmet edge portions and rearwardly inwardly of said helmet edge portions.

11. A helmet including a rigid shell opening forwardly and downwardly and including upstanding forward opposite side edge portions, said edge portions having openings formed therethrough, a forwardly opening spider-like head sling including legs and disposed within said shell with its legs slidingly and guidingly received through said openings, the free end portions of the legs of said spider-like head sling including means for adjusted length securement to adjacent peripheral portions of a rearwardly opening face mask disposed forward of said shell, said head sling including stop means engageable with the inner surface portions of said helmet adjacent said openings to limit rearward displacement of said helmet relative to said legs.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said openings comprise elongated slots extending generally along said edge portions.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein the portions of said helmet defining the forward extremities of said slots are inwardly offset and said slots therefor open forwardly outwardly of said helmet edge portions and rearwardly inwardly of said helmet edge portions. 

1. In combination with a rearwardly opening face mask assembly to be worn over the face of the user and including rear opposite side peripheral edge portions for engagement with the opposite sides of the face of the wearer, a forwardly and downwardly opening rigid helmet to be worn over head of the wearer and including forward opposite side peripheral edge portions, having openings formed therethrough, a forwardly opening head sling anchored within said helmet and including forwardly projecting elongated tension members including one set of corresponding ends anchored relative to spaced portions of said head sling and a second set of corresponding end portions projecting through said openings, the second set of ends of said tension members being anchored to adjacent spaced portions of said mask peripheral edge portions.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said one set of corresponding ends are removably anchored to said face mask.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said one set of corresponding ends and said face mask include coacting means removably anchoring said one set of ends to said face mask for adjustment of the effective length of said tension members.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said tension members include at least portions thereof which are elastic.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said tension members and sling are formed as integral portions of a panel of elastomeric material.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said helmet includes breathing gas vent openings in its central rear portion for venting breathing gas from within said helmet when the user is looking down toward the bottom of the body of water in which he is diving.
 7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said helmet is rigid.
 8. In combination with a rearwardly opening face mask assembly to be worn over the face of the user and including rear opposite side peripheral edge portions for engagement with the opposite sides of the face of the wearer, a forwardly and downwardly opening rigid helmet to be worn over head of the wearer and including forward opposite side peripheral edge portions, elongated tension members including one set of corresponding ends anchored relative to spaced portions of one of said peripheral edge portions and a second set of corresponding end portions anchored to adjacent spaced portions of the other peripheral edge portions, including a forwardly opening flexible head cradle disposed within said helmet and for disposition over the back of the head of the wearer within said helmet, said one set of ends being anchored to said head cradle so as to become parts thereof, said peripheral edge portions of said helmet including guide openings formed therein through which said tension members are guidingly engaged for longitudinal shifting relative to said peripheral edge portions, said head cradle including stop means engageable with inner surface portions of said helmet adjacent said openings to limit forward displacement of said other set of ends relative to said helmet peripherAl edge portions, the other set of ends of said tension members being anchored to said cradle whereby tensioning of said tension members and the anchoring of said one set of ends to said mask will resist rearward displacement of said helmet relative to said mask and forward displacement of said mask relative to said helmet.
 9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said tension members are strap-like in configuration and said openings comprise elongated slots extending generally along said peripheral edge portions.
 10. The combination of claim 9 wherein the portions of said helmet defining the forward extremities of said slots are inwardly offset and said slots therefor open forwardly outwardly of said helmet edge portions and rearwardly inwardly of said helmet edge portions.
 11. A helmet including a rigid shell opening forwardly and downwardly and including upstanding forward opposite side edge portions, said edge portions having openings formed therethrough, a forwardly opening spider-like head sling including legs and disposed within said shell with its legs slidingly and guidingly received through said openings, the free end portions of the legs of said spider-like head sling including means for adjusted length securement to adjacent peripheral portions of a rearwardly opening face mask disposed forward of said shell, said head sling including stop means engageable with the inner surface portions of said helmet adjacent said openings to limit rearward displacement of said helmet relative to said legs.
 12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said openings comprise elongated slots extending generally along said edge portions.
 13. The combination of claim 12 wherein the portions of said helmet defining the forward extremities of said slots are inwardly offset and said slots therefor open forwardly outwardly of said helmet edge portions and rearwardly inwardly of said helmet edge portions. 